NuForce Reference 8 vs. 9

Driving my 9.02s with tubed ARC LS5MKIII with GNSC Ref mod.

Note 8s are now 8.5s. My audition of 8s was impressive and easily drove my 93db/w/m speakers. Hard to say what you'd hear due to preferred listening levels, etc.

Also, nobody mentions that the taper on the volume circuit/knob on preamps might mislead you. Some - maybe all? - use a non-linear log? taper, which means most of the gain is in the first bit of rotation. So you are led to think you have that much gain on the full turn but you don't, as it's 'runs out of gas' pretty quickly.

Techies - am I right about this? Newbies should be informed!

Bob Wood
http://www.GreatHomeTheater.com/stereo.html

Hi Bill,

I would say that the NuForce Reference 9 is a pretty neutral sounding amp. The Reference 8 sounds a bit thinner in the lower midrange and upper bass, and lacks bottom end weight and slam (though their bass articulation is excellent. The clarity and imaging of the Reference 9 is also first rate.

The Monarchy SE-160 amps (really the same amps as the SE-250, in mono form) definitely sounded lush and warm compared to the NuForce. Probably the midrange and highs on the Monarchy amp are a little sweeter but not quite as clear and detailed. And the bass control of the Reference 9 is demonstrably superior to the weighty but somewhat less articulate Monarchy amps.

I used my Monarchy SE-160s driving the midrange/tweeter panels of the InnerSound Eros, where they provided a very synergistic match. Using them full range, their lack of bass definition becomes more of a factor, in my view.

I just received the Monarchy M24 tube DAC for review and I can tell you it is a very impressive sounding unit. What I'd probably do is use the M24 to drive the NuForce Reference 9s and have the best of both worlds... You should take a peek on Monarchy's website.

Plato, I have owned the SE160's and now the SE250's. The 250's have much better bass then the 160's. I love the 250's and these Nuforce amps just seem interesting. I think system matching and personal taste will most likely determine which amp is best for me.

I like a sweeter sound with warmth and body. The Monarchy amps do this with outstanding transparency at the same time. Voices are the very best I have heard. Better than Wright Sound 2a3 SET amps driving Cain & Cain IM Ben speakers! My old system.

Based on your comments I think the Monarchy SE250's will stay and someday I may try an A/B comparison with Nuforce on my Dali Grand speakers.

Bill

By the way, I find the P8 to be excellent, in that it is neutral, smooth and transparent. It smoked the Plinius M8 I compared it with by a large margin in my opinion, the M8 being quite electronic hard and grainy sounding. But the P8 is not a tube pre by any stretch. Give me the 'tell it like it is' P8 anytime, but others will want a preamp to do something to the sound.

i am, using the p-8 with my ref-9s driving tyler linbrook signature system speakers, my only tube gear is a ear 934p and at this point i am leaning to the ear over a ps audio gcph, for my ears i cant beat the sound i am getting from my setup, lots of luck with your choice in a preamp,